System and method of providing packing inventory sensing and management of a supply compartment for a storage receptacle
AssigneeBig Belly Solar, Inc.
InventorsJames A. Poss, Jeffrey Satwicz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A package deposit enclosure designed for public use is powered by an efficient storage battery and photovoltaic cell array. These unique features allow the package deposit enclosure to be placed in locations where no power is available, but where there is frequent human traffic. Sensing and wireless data communication features allow the unit to be emptied less often than typical package delivery enclosures. Wireless communication also allows users' access to real-time information. On board power enables other functions, such as lighting and audio, to enhance device functionality.
Claims20
A storage container comprising:
- an enclosure comprising a storage compartment for receiving a plurality of packages from end users, wherein the storage compartment is configured to receive the plurality of packages from the end users via an insertion door, and the storage compartment does not enable the end users to retrieve any deposited packages;
- a supply compartment for storing packaging materials and made available to the end users, the supply compartment comprising an access door;
- a photoeye sensor associated with the supply compartment, wherein the photoeye inventory sensor is configured to detect a presence of packaging materials contained within the supply compartment;
- and
- a controller electrically connected to a battery and the photoeye sensor, wherein the controller is configured to trigger the photoeye sensor when an access door sensor detects the access door is in an open position or when an insertion door sensor detects that the insertion door is in an open position.
A method comprising:
- collecting solar energy via a photovoltaic panel connected to a storage container having a package compartment configured to receive packages from end users but prevent the end users from accessing deposited packages and a separate supply compartment for storing packing materials available to users, wherein the photovoltaic panel is positioned to be exposed to sunlight and convert sunlight into electric power;
- and
- triggering a photoeye sensor associated with the storage container when an access door sensor associated with an access door detects that the access door is in an open position or when an insertion door sensor detects that an insertion door enabling access to the package compartment is in an open position, wherein the photoeye sensor is configured to detect a presence of the packaging materials contained within the supply compartment and is powered by the electric power from the photovoltaic panel.
A storage container comprising:
- a processor;
- a control component;
- a supply compartment configured to contain packing materials for end users to access;
- a package compartment separate from the supply compartment, the package compartment configured to receive packages from the end users but not enable the end users to access deposited packages;
- and
- a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor and the control component to perform operations comprising:
- collecting solar energy via a photovoltaic panel, wherein the photovoltaic panel is positioned to be exposed to sunlight and convert sunlight into electric power;
- and
- triggering a photoeye sensor when an access door sensor detects that the access door is in an open position or when an insertion door sensor detects that an insertion door that enables access to the package compartment is in an open position, wherein the photoeye sensor is powered by the electric power and is configured to detect a presence of packaging materials contained within the supply compartment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.